Hochwartner & Reichhardt: Vienna Vikings’ New Additions

The Austrian Armed Forces’ army sport enables selected top athletes to concentrate fully on training and development for six months, while they would otherwise have to complete their military service. For the 2026 class, two players from the ranks of the AFC Vienna Vikings nominated: Offensive lineman Leonhard Hochwartner and Defensive Lineman Armin Reichhardt. Both not only represent Austrian football at the highest level, but are also exemplary of the Vikings’ youth work and the sporting path from talent development to the Austrian Football League.

Leonhard Hochwartner – From young Vikings to army sports

Wearing since 2018 Leonhard Hochwartner the purple jersey. Like many Vikings, his football journey began early: “I had my first contact with football in elementary school when my sports and English teacher Cameron Frickey played flag football with us.” He found his way into the Vikings’ U13 team through an English summer camp where football was offered as a compensatory sport. “I had so much fun that I stuck with it straight away and played my first game against the Mödling Rangers – back then as a D-Liner.”

Today Hochwartner is an integral part of the AFL-Offense Line der Vikings, two-time state champion, Austrian Bowl winner 2025, U19 European Champion 2023 and 2024 U20 World Championships bronze medalist. It’s hard to narrow down his best moments in football to date, but three experiences have particularly influenced him: bronze in the World Cup in Canada, the first Austrian Bowl title and his work as a youth coach. “The last three years as U11 flag coach have been a great time. Seeing children develop, celebrating victories together and growing as a team – that’s what excites me about football. The Vikings are my second Vamily.”

For him, joining the army is a career goal that he has worked hard to achieve: “It feels great because it was a goal that I worked towards for a long time.” The advantages are enormous for him: “I can concentrate almost exclusively on football for six months, develop myself further and support my team in the best possible way – our goal is very clear: to bring the Austrian Bowl back to Vienna in 2026.”

His time at the Vikings Academy at the Ballsportgymnasium Vienna. “The academy was just great – what could be nicer than starting your day early in the morning at the football field?” The combination of school education and competitive sports was crucial for him: “Education meets sports – that’s what we lived. My coaches and teachers always supported me – sportingly, academically and personally.”

Hochwartner is grateful for the people who accompany him: “My family always has my back. One of them is there at every game – even in Canada at the World Cup, my grandmother and my aunt were there.” His journey is far from over: “In the long term, I want to gain a foothold in football, play at the highest European level and represent Austria in the national team again.”

Armin Reichhardt – From young talent to national player

Also Armin Reichhardt is one of the most exciting football talents in Austria. He started playing flag football at the age of 12, then played for the Vienna Knights and moved to the Vikings in 2020. “I wanted to develop further in my sport – and at the Vikings I had the best conditions for that.”

Together with Hochwartner he won the 2025 Austrian Bowl and is also two-time state champion, U19 European Champion 2023 as well as Bronze medalist at the 2024 U20 World Championships in Canada. When he thinks back to his experiences so far, he doesn’t have to think for long: “The Austrian Bowl victory in 2025 was certainly one of the most emotional moments. Working hard for it for years and then finally achieving it – that was something special.”

His experience in the national team has also shaped him in recent years. In 2024 he played for the Austrian men’s national team for the first time and gained valuable international match practice. Now comes the next big step: Reichhardt was called up to the national team squad again and will be in the squad for the European Championship Final Four in Germany next weekend – the two most important international matches of the year. “To be on the field for Austria is a great honor. These missions have shown me that I am on the right track – but also that there is still a lot to learn.”

For Reichhardt, being accepted into army sports is a great honor: “I am very pleased that American football is being supported by army sports. This is an important sign for our sport.” His goals for 2026 are clearly formulated: “We want to become back-to-back champions and defend the Austrian Bowl title.” Personally, he has one simple requirement for himself: “I want to improve in every way – play stronger, faster, smarter and reach my full potential.”

He gets his motivation primarily from the team: “I don’t have a specific role model. My teammates push me the most – many of them have become real friends over time. We challenge each other to get better every day.”

Two army athletes – a common path in Purple & Gold

With Leonhard Hochwartner and Armin Reichhardt The AFC Vienna Vikings are once again fielding two army sports athletes – a further sign of the professional development in the club and the successful promotion of young talent. Both players are top performers in the Austrian Football League, role models for young talent and important building blocks in the club’s future plans.

In addition to Hochwartner and Reichhardt was also Nils Keimel taken into account for army sports in 2026. The wide receiver, who was one of the last year Vienna Vikings (ELF) changed, also comes from the Vikings youth work and is Absolvent der Vikings Academy 2025. Keimel was married to the Austrian U19 national team European champions 2023 and fetched 2024 World Cup bronze at the U20 World Championships in Canada – back then as an AFL player. Although he is now active in sports with the ELF, he remains connected to the club: He has continued to be part of the Vikings family as a U16 coach for two years.

The Vikings warmly congratulate Leonhard, Armin and Nils on their acceptance into the club Army sports class 2026 and look forward to continuing to accompany you on your journey – with hard work, great team spirit and many Purple moments.